This marks the fourth annual feature devoted to showcasing international Agency Innovators, and in a year of economic challenges for many parts of the world, we are delighted to report that there are numerous passionate individuals with innovative ideas who continue to drive growth.

Serge Dumont, Omnicom Asia Pacific

In 2003, Serge Dumont, published a book called Brand Warriors of China: The Balancing Act of Brand Leadership in the 21st Century. Today, Dumont has created an extraordinary balancing act of his own with his passion for China at the center. From his acclaim as “the Father of the Communications Industry in China,” to establishing the country’s first major charity event for HIV/AIDS, to developing the next generation of talent at Tsinghua University (where there is now an Omnicom building) and to his newly-expanded role as President of Omnicom APIMA (Asia Pacific India Middle East Africa) and Chairman of Asia Pacific, many wonder how he can accomplish so much so successfully.

Before joining Omnicom in 2006, Dumont had been a consultant for more than 20 years in mainland China to various Fortune 500 companies, foreign governments looking to establish business ties with the Chinese, and other entities such as the World Health Organization and the Beijing Municipal Government. He is involved with numerous philanthropic activities, and has received significant recognition and awards for his contributions to business, trade, health, culture, and the arts.

Dumont sees China as the driving force of the Omnicom’s business in the Asia-Pacific region. Under the group’s umbrella are well-established strong networks in China, including global advertising brands BBDO, DDB and TBWA\Tequila; specialist media-buying companies OMD and PHD; public relations brands Bentley Communications, Fleishman-Hillard and Ketchum Newscan; brand consultancy firm Interbrand; interactive agency Tribal DDB; and field marketing company Unisono Fieldmarketing.

Given the need to attract new talent to the industry, Dumont established a scholarship fund at China’s prestigious Tsinghua University to meet the mainland’s growing need for qualified communications professionals (www.sergedumontfund.org). He also sits on the boards of trustees the Tsinghua School of Journalism and Communications and on the corporate advisory board of Asia’s leading MBA school, the China Europe International Business School.

During his career, Serge Dumont has been bestowed France’s highest honor, the Legion of Honor, was named Knight of Arts and Literature and Chevalier des Palmes Academiques, Grand Officer of the Star of Italian Solidarity (Italy), Officer of the Order of the Throne of Morocco and Officer of the Order of the Crown of Belgium. He is a “Conseiller du Commerce Extérieur de la France”— France’s Foreign Trade Advisor, and received in 2006 the prestigious global mandate of “Special Representative” for UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations program on HIV/AIDS (www.unaids.org).

The Internationalist is grateful to SKY NEWS, who has been the exclusive sponsor of Agency Innovator activities since 2007.